to do a firmware update. I have an NDX sitting here that needs a firmware update. It’s connected to the internet wired and the burndy plug is in the back but when I turn it on the display is blank. It’s not connected to anything else. Is this normal or should I be seeing screen information. I can see it on the Focal and Naim app. Will I have to plumb it in in place of the streamer already in the system? I’d rather not if I don’t have to.
I’ve now connected it into a system but the display is still dead. I can play Spotify through it from the F&N app. So either the display is dead (was working fine last time in use) or it is turned off in the software but without a display there would be no way to turn it on again. How can I check that? I’m thinking though that the display has died. Is it now junk or worth getting a new screen? How much is that likely to cost to get it fixed?
If the display was turned off it should still wake up when using the remote or any of the front facia buttons.
Nope unfortunately it doesn’t. How would the display fail just by being boxed up for a while though. Don’t they usually fail gradually with the display dimming over time?
No they merely go gradually when powered up. Both my NDX and UQ2 screens were fine before a move and dead when unboxed.
However, in a pitch black room you can actually see the screen vaguely if viewed through your phone camera. They can pick up all sorts of non visible light including infrared from remote controls.
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Haven’t you just contradicted yourself there? Mine was working fine, bright and clear, when boxed up and completely dead on unboxing several months later. Did you get yours fixed and if so did it have to go back to Naim. I suspect the cost of replacement by Naim will be economically unviable.
No contradiction. If powered up all the time, they will eventually fade to nothing. But if boxed up, the degradation continues and you may just unpack it to find that while in storage, the screen that had previously looked fine is completely dead.
No I did not bother fixing either the screens. They work fine without them. I just use the total dark room and smartphone camera trick if I need to make a configuration change (which is almost never).
However, although Naim can replace them, there are people selling replacement screens on ebay for much less and many forum members have had good success with self replacement.
Cheers @feeling_zen Maybe it’s just me then but I understand now. I might try the phone trick and of course you’re right it will still work without the screen but I’d like the option. Does anybody have any recommendations regarding who can replace the screen. The nearest main dealer from me is about 40mile away in Warrington (Brady’s). I wonder if they could do it. I’ll give them a ring in the morning.
I think you will find all the UK dealers will tell you it’s a Naim HQ job.
That’s a bit of a bugger. Brady’s have an electronics lab upstairs. Replacing a screen should be simple for them. Anybody know how much Naim charge to replace the screen?
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Yes I believe its a relatively simple job. I know Naim do a complete unit check over as part of the service, and Naim is the best place to be if other work is needed.
My NDX screen service cost around £140 + P&P
There is a French guy selling screens on eBay with instructions and he can apparently offer some help if you need it. You could consider getting a screen and either fitting it yourself or asking a local electronics repairer to fit it for you.
To do a firmware update you don’t necessarily need the screen. You control it from a computer connected via USB which will tell you when the process is complete.
That doesn’t sound too bad then.
I didn’t think you could access the menus from the F&M app. I’m not home at the moment so I’ll need to have a look at that tomorrow when I get the chance. I thought I could only use the app to select the NDX as the source device and select the music and that was the extent of it.
There are some menu items that need the screen, but a firmware update is controlled from the computer that runs it.
I have replaced the screen on a Unitilite (which is basically the same issue as the NDX). I bought the French screen on ebay. It’s not difficult to do, but you do have to get very close and personal with the insides of your streamer. It cost me about £110 a few months ago. My old screen was also fine when I last used the Unitilite, but I left it unpowered for a few months and it was completely dead next time I turned it on.
As others have said, you can do the firmware update without the screen. You should read the instructions because it’s probably a lot more involved than you think, involving running an update program on your computer. But I did the update on my Unitilite without any problem, before I got the new screen.
Naim are able to change screens providing your NDX has the 192/24 card. I don’t know whether some of the early NDXs might not have had that card.
If all this is a bit of a mystery to you then it’s probably worth talking to a dealer. Or you could at least check whether it’s worth sending it back to Naim by phoning Naim support and telling them the serial number of your NDX.
The French supplier can help with streamers whether they have the 192/24 board or not. They also need to know the serial number to confirm before they will supply the new screen.
Using the app I’m not even able to interrogate the NDX to see which version firmware is on it. I’m fairly sure it’s 4.7 and I need 4.9. I’m fairly comfortable doing the update as I’ve done a few now but I can’t see how to do it for the NDX via the app. As far as performing the update is concerned all the instructions are through the connected PC so that wouldn’t require the screen or the app (just need to find the correct USB lead which always goes missing when I need it). I don’t suppose there’s much point doing the update until it’s got a new screen anyway although it wouldn’t do any harm don’t suppose. It’s just I couldn’t check the version after it’s done.
I’ve spoken to Brady’s in Warrington and they’re going to speak to Naim and see if they’ve got the replacement screens available. If not then I’ve found the French bloke on ebay and I’ll drop him a message if the Naim can’t supply or their quote is a full service cost. It shouldn’t be because it’s a known problem and there’s no diagnostics to find the issue and it wouldn’t be fair to charge full price particularly considering it had a full service about 3 years ago.
You can see the streamer version of your NDX through the app. With IOS you go to settings, then About, then look for streamer version. The latest version for NDX is 4.9.40 I believe.
I imagine the Android app is similar.
You don’t need the app or the Screen to do the firmware update.
I’m on Android and couldn’t see the version. Like you say though. I don’t need the app to do the update. It would only be an issue if it was a really old version of the firmware which it won’t be.
That’s right. Any NDX had version 3.0 or later when it was built.
Right, I’ve managed to speak to the French bloke and I’ve ordered a new screen off him. How easy are they to fit? I’m fairly happy opening boxes and soldering stuff as long as it’s not IC chips requiring heat guns and stuff but otherwise I’m OK. I don’t like having to do major disassemblies though and jiggling stuff back together. I’d have thought the screen would be a few screws and a ribbon connector. Anybody done this job themselves?